-- Sure, Alabama is off a game against Tennessee that was tough emotionally and may be feeling a letdown. The Tide has topped 30 points only once this year. But one must consider the degree of decimation that has taken place at FIU in the wake of the bench-clearing brawl two weeks ago against Miami. Ten starters were suspended, and valuable depth was lost as well. Two freshman will be starting on the offensive line. A true frosh - a third-stringer - starts at running back. Top wideout Chandler Williams is suspended. Dismissed was safety Chris Smith, the acknowledged leader of the defense. Freshman will be returning punts. There are four brand new starters in the secondary. And on and on and on. Alabama has been dissatisfied with the production from its running game, and QB John David Wilson did not have a good outing against Tennessee. With a tough SEC home stretch coming up, coach Mike Shula will want to get a great tuneup for this offense, which is 12-35 scoring in the red zone. The only thing saving FIU here is if Shula does not want to overly embarrass coach Don Strock, his dad's former backup with the Dolphins.
JAY'S PLAY: ALABAMA *
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